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High School Athletes Ink College Commitments on Signing Day
Roundup of signing ceremonies and district basketball in Sarasota and Manatee counties
Feb. 4, 2026 at 6:23pm
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High school athletes from Manatee, St. Stephen's Episcopal, Sarasota Christian, and Cardinal Mooney schools signed national letters of intent to continue their athletic careers at colleges and universities across the country. The signing day ceremonies were part of a broader roundup of district basketball and other high school sports news in the Sarasota and Manatee county region.
Why it matters
National signing day is a significant milestone for high school athletes, marking the culmination of years of hard work and dedication. These signings represent the next chapter for these student-athletes as they transition to the collegiate level, both athletically and academically.
The details
The signing day ceremonies featured a number of standout high school athletes from the Sarasota and Manatee county region. At Manatee High School, several baseball players signed with colleges, including Xander Arias (Camp Community College), Ashton Hovda (West Florida), Jordan Roberts (Essex College), and Brian Rodriguez (Essex College). The school also saw football players Ronin Dangler (Mercer), Zyaire Green (Seton Hill University), and Logan Rogers (Furman University) commit to their respective programs. St. Stephen's Episcopal had volleyball, cross country, and track & field athletes sign, including Sophia Ierulli (Vassar College), Kavi Reidi and Kian Reidi (Ithaca College), and Keymani Dillingham (Jacksonville State). Cardinal Mooney saw several football and baseball players make their college choices, such as Laron Foye (James Madison), Zackery Samuel Jr. (Toledo), Devin Mignery (Stanford), and John Badala (Pitt).
- The signing day ceremonies took place on Wednesday, February 4, 2026.
The players
Xander Arias
Baseball player who signed with Camp Community College.
Ashton Hovda
Baseball player who signed with West Florida.
Sophia Ierulli
Volleyball player who signed with Vassar College.
Laron Foye
Football player who signed with James Madison.
John Badala
Baseball player who signed with Pitt.
What they’re saying
“National signing day is such an exciting time for these student-athletes. It's the culmination of years of hard work and dedication, and we're thrilled to see them take the next step in their athletic and academic careers.”
— Sarasota Herald-Tribune
What’s next
The high school athletes who signed their national letters of intent will now begin preparing for their collegiate athletic and academic careers, with many set to join their new teams in the coming months.
The takeaway
These signing day ceremonies highlight the impressive talent and dedication of high school athletes in the Sarasota and Manatee county region, who are continuing their athletic pursuits at the collegiate level. It's a testament to the strength of the local sports programs and the hard work of these student-athletes.
